According to Zillow, 1600 homes are at risk of flooding in all of Seattle. Water damage is one of the most expensive home disasters. 1 in 60 homeowners insurance claims is for water damage, which can cause significant problems for homeowners if not prevented by regular maintenance measures. Read to learn how to protect your home from water damage.
Inspect Your Roof
Look for cracks, missing shingles or flashing, and water stains in the attic. Check around chimneys for moisture and windows and doors for signs of leaks coming from outside.
Perform Maintenance on Your Pipes
You can maintain your pipes by:
- Check for leaks. A professional plumber should help with this.
- Flush out pipes. Pipes are often not cleaned regularly, so it’s important to periodically flush them out with hot water and bleach once a month. It will prevent mineral deposits from building up inside the pipe walls.
- Replace old pipes. Old pipes may need replacing if they’re damaged or broken.
Fix Leaks Around Your House
To prevent water damage, you should fix all leaks as soon as you find them. If you don’t already have a plumbing repair kit in your toolbox, it’s worth getting one. You can also call a plumber to get the problem fixed. When fixing leaks, shut off any water source connected with the leak (i.e., turn off faucets).
Check Your Sump Pump
You can check the sump pump by turning it on and seeing if it’s working correctly. The water should be flowing out through the pipe without any problem.
Also, perform regular maintenance on your sump pumps, such as cleaning them regularly or replacing any broken system parts.
A clogged sump pump inlet will cause the equipment to malfunction or operate less effectively. Ensure you turn off the sump pump before cleaning. To access the inlet screen, drain the basin of standing water. After that, you should clean the screen using a wire brush).
Replace Your Washing Machine Hoses
If you have an older washing machine that is five years old, the rubber hoses that connect it to your home’s water supply need replacing. To determine whether this is necessary, turn off your water supply and pull out one of the hoses. If you see any cracking or tearing, then it needs replacing.
If you’re buying new hoses, look for ones made from anti-kink so they won’t bend or twist.
Caulk Your Windows
It’s a simple, low-cost way to protect your home from water damage. Caulk prevents water from seeping through cracks and gaps in the window frame. It can prevent mildew from growing and causing more severe damage to your home.
If you have old caulk in your windows and it’s cracked, you should replace it immediately. If you don’t know how to caulk a window, here are tips:
- Use a putty knife or finger to remove old caulk from the window frame.
- Clean the window with water and a sponge, and also a brush.
- Trim the nozzle by slicing the cartridge tip at a 45-degree angle. Typically, nozzles will be labeled with a cutting line to help you choose what size caulk line to use.
- Apply caulk to the glass by holding the nozzle perpendicular to the surface you’re working on and painting on lines about 2 to 3 feet long.
- When applying caulk, use your finger or a flat spatula. The caulk will stick better after doing this.
- Keep the area clean during caulking; it is hard to remove dried caulk.
- Please wait 24 hours after caulking before touching it again.
Clean the Gutters
Gutters divert rainwater from your home but can become clogged with leaves and other debris if they aren’t kept clean. You should clean them at least twice per year—more often if you have trees in your yard that drop large amounts of leaves during the fall or spring. Use a leaf blower or rake (depending on how many leaves there are). You can also install gutter clogs to prevent clogging.
Check Fixtures
Check the condition of all plumbing and electrical equipment. These machines will have undetectable leaks. Therefore, regularly clean and maintain your kitchen appliances. Ensure that all of the water lines in your home are in good working order, including those that supply your fridge, dishwasher, washing machine, and ice maker. And don’t forget to check the area beneath the sink!
Install the Backwater Valve
A backwater valve is an automatic device that prevents sewage from backing up into your home and causing damage when it rains heavily or floods. You install it where the drain line connects to the city’s main sewer line. When rainwater rises high enough to cause flooding, the backwater valve closes automatically and prevents water from entering your home.
The best flood protection, then, is prevention. Do basic repairs, such as gutter cleaning or repairing leaks, before they become big problems. Take the proper precautions, and mild flooding won’t be a problem.
